Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas sharply criticized the actions of California and Washington, accusing them of undermining federal immigration and trucking safety standards. His criticism followed a deadly crash on a Florida highway. He expressed disappointment in the Supreme Court for refusing to hear Florida’s case, which had no alternative forum for resolution.
Florida claimed that these states improperly issued commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) to illegal immigrants. This action allegedly violated federal standards, requiring English proficiency and lawful immigration status for commercial drivers. Florida argued that these policies posed a public safety risk on American roads.
Justice Thomas, accompanied by Justice Samuel Alito, emphasized the Supreme Court’s constitutional duty to hear such disputes, as lawsuits between states exclusively fall under its jurisdiction. “If this Court does not exercise jurisdiction over a controversy between two States, then the complaining State has no judicial forum in which to seek relief,” Thomas stated.
“An illegal alien who cannot read English road signs cannot drive an 80,000-pound tractor-trailer,” Thomas wrote.
This statement highlighted the risks posed by non-compliance with federal licensing laws, which he argued contributed to hazardous road conditions and deadly incidents. An example cited was a crash involving truck driver Harjinder Singh, who allegedly had difficulty reading road signs and had received CDLs from both California and Washington.
Justice Thomas criticized the Supreme Court’s refusal to hear Florida’s lawsuit, filed directly with the Court under its original jurisdiction. He argued that the Constitution assigns the Supreme Court exclusive jurisdiction over inter-state disputes. Therefore, the Court should exercise this jurisdiction rather than declining it.
He expressed concern over the Court’s discretionary approach to its exclusive original jurisdiction, suggesting it conflicted with Congress’s policy choices as stated in statutory text. Thomas pointed out that if Florida, California, and Washington were separate countries, such issues might escalate to serious diplomatic conflicts, requiring international court intervention.
Thomas reiterated that states, by joining the Union, agreed to have disputes resolved through the Supreme Court.